I want to thank Grace and Truth Books for providing me with a copy of Intentional Parenting in return for my honest opinion. Grace and Truth Books is a wonderful online resource for Christian books on parenting and for Christian children’s books. I appreciate their quick shipping, great prices, and fantastic selection.

I’ve read quite a few parenting books. I have to say, I love this one. I plan to read it again. I plan to give my husband a copy. It’s going to become one of those books that gets slipped in every baby shower gift.

There are few things I feel stronger about than intentional parenting and family discipleship. Intentional Parenting is a fantastic resource for families. The book challenges parents to consider what they’re teaching their children – and why.

Mr. Thompson lays out a plan for family discipleship, walking his reader through various areas in a home. For example, in “Chapter Three: The Kitchen”, he addresses “The Ingredients of Family Discipleship” by explaining seven key categories for biblical data that parents need to address with their children. He also clarifies theology, challenging us to consider whether the truth we’re teaching is really true. For example, in speaking of the Gospel, Mr. Thompson addresses four wildly popular false “gospels” before presenting the true Gospel. We must be certain we are communicating Truth that is truly true.

In “Chapter Four: The Living Room”, Mr. Thompson discusses “Contexts for Teaching and Learning”. We learn about several different spheres of life in which we must disciple our children.

Intentional Parenting is not a blow-by-blow parenting book. You won’t find detailed instructions on how to implement discipleship on a day-by-day basis. Instead, the book addresses the bigger themes of family discipleship: Why should we disciple our families? What does effective discipleship mean? What issues should we cover? What does the Bible say about family discipleship? What is the goal of discipleship? What must we do in order to be prepared to disciple?

Nor is Intentional Parenting a book about the popular concept of “family worship”. Mr. Thompson addresses designing a family lifestyle that revolves around Christ, Scripture and raising up children who know the Lord. Family worship is part of family discipleship, but it is only a fraction of the work we must do.

Many of us want to raise our families for Christ. We want to bring up children who love the Lord. We want to break with the moralistic, sanitized version of Christianity that has become so popular in the last few decades. Yet, we may not know where to begin. Intentional Parenting: Family Discipleship by Design by Tad Thompson is a great place to start.

What books have you read about family discipleship? How did they change your parenting? Have you read Intentional Parenting?

Welcome to Thinking Kids!

My name is Danika Cooley, and I’m glad you’re here. This site exists to help equip you to teach your kids the Bible and Christian history. I’m an author, a homeschool mom, and a curriculum developer. Pull up a chair and stay awhile.